[TenTec] Omni 5 (used) OR Scout (new) - Best baptism

[John Buckham]

The Omni V is just about  the same radio is the VI, with just a lot less
CPU horsepower.
(we are not talking features here, just grass roots radio)  The Corsair
II was a super
radio for it's day, and still has utility but finding a clean example
that has not 
deteriorated with time may be a challenge.  I have both a V and a VI and
prefer the
V.  At least that's what I seem to find myself using most of the time. 
All the
extra goodies are nice in the VI but I don't find myself using them too
often.
Maybe it's the V's bright blue display that keeps me turning it back on.

Now about the Scout.  I've had one of these and It's a "helluva lota"
radio in a small box.  For a mobile or portable installation go for it
(or an ICOM 706).  The one thing about the Scout I miss
over the V is the availability of filters and a less effective IF strip,
the selectivity
isn't as sharp as the V.  But, understand the Scout is an inexpensive
radio, and as such
it stands out as a shining star, but alas, never loose sight of this
factoid: it's a small
inexpensive 50W radio.

Honestly, I can find little to fault in the Omni V that would keep me
from recommending
it to a friend.  It's got the same great receiver and transmitter as the
VI,
great CW keying, a nice big bright blue display, a good noise blanker,
memory, and all
of the functions like VOX and sidetone are easy to adjust with knobs on
the rear apron.
On the negative, you don't get a built in keyer-I use an MFJ external
keyer with a English Kent
key on both the V and VI.  You don't get easy RS-232 connection with the
V (although it
IS RS-232 controllable-it's command set is unique and isn't compatible
with some of the
available computer logging software) you don't get RIT in the V (use the
split instead)
and you don't get a DSP chip with the V.  There is one other important
(?) thing about
the V, the crystal isn't ovenized, so if you keep your station in an
unheated room, during
the winter months there is quite a bit of drift for the first 30 minutes
of operation.  
The VI has a cure with the oven BUT you must leave the supply on to keep
the oven warm, 
if you don't the drift is worse than the V for the first 15 minuets, at
least in my VI.
After both are warm they are both rock solid frequency stability wise.

Okay-these are my rumblings on the subject.  Your mileage may differ. 
Some assembly
required. Batteries not included.  Not suitable for children under
six....

John
KE6PID

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